More than 130,000 vulnerable households across eight arid and semi-arid counties in Kenya have received over Sh422 million from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP).
The financial support, aimed at cushioning families from the harsh effects of drought and climate-related shocks, was released as part of the government’s continued efforts to strengthen social protection systems.
In a statement dated September 22, 2025, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Hared Adan confirmed that the funds have been disbursed to 132,779 households in Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, and Tana River counties.
“HSNP provides monthly cash stipends to vulnerable households in Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, and Tana River, offering consumption support and cushioning families against the impacts of drought and climate-related shocks,” he said.
From the total amount of Sh422,458,200, a sum of Sh358.5 million was allocated for August 2025 stipends. An additional Sh63.9 million was used to settle July 2025 arrears owed to 23,687 households in Turkana County, distributed across four sub-counties.
“The funds release also includes stipends for 23,687 households across four sub-counties in Turkana County for July 2025, amounting to Sh63,954,900,” the Authority stated.
Turkana County is receiving the largest share of the allocation, with 39,831 households set to benefit from over Sh107 million. In Mandera, 22,107 households will receive Sh59 million, while 20,387 households in Marsabit are getting Sh55 million. Another 19,171 households in Wajir will share Sh51 million.
Garissa County will see 9,217 households receive Sh24 million, Samburu has 8,118 households allocated Sh21 million, and Tana River will see 7,329 households benefit from Sh19 million. In Isiolo, 6,619 households are expected to receive Sh17 million.
Beneficiaries are accessing their cash through Kenya Commercial Bank and Equity Bank branches and agents. The Authority has urged households with unresolved issues related to Payment Service Providers to visit the nearest bank branch and update their details to avoid delays in accessing their stipends.
Reaffirming the government’s focus on protecting vulnerable communities, NDMA stated, “As one of the Government’s flagship social protection initiatives, HSNP aims to reduce poverty and hunger, while building household resilience to shocks.”
HSNP is part of the Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP) and falls under the broader Inua Jamii social protection framework. Under this program, eligible households receive a monthly cash stipend of Sh2,700 to help meet their basic needs.
